Automatic Edge Tuner

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a tuning device for providing a desired operative edge of a tool or any item wherein a certain operative edge surface is desired. Whether for a new snowboard or ski, or for situations where these items no longer possess the operative edge surface desired, the present invention restores or creates a desired edge quickly with minimal effort. The present invention may include a base, a motor with attached tuning bit and at least one magnetic member designed to achieve a desired distance between the tuning bit and the tool or item being sharpened. By means of the attractive forces created by the magnetic member, the device of the present invention may travel in the same axial direction as that achieved by the rotation of the tuning bit. Although it is preferable for an operator to maintain control of the device at all times during operation, the magnetic forces utilized would ostensibly allow for substantially hands-free operation of the device as desired.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/766,409.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of edge tuningdevices and more particularly to an automatic edge tuner.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many of today's common tools and equipment include operative edges. Notsurprisingly, these edges are used and operated in ways that cause themto degrade over time or with use. It is often the case that the bestperformance of the aforementioned tools and equipment can only beachieved by providing the most optimum operative edge possible.Therefore, operators will often alter the operative edges, or portionsthereof, such that a desired surface of the operative edge is obtained.This procedure is sometimes referred to as “sharpening” or “tuning” theedge. Sharpening does not always imply that the edge is “sharp” in thesense of a cutting tool, but may simply mean that an operative edge hasbeen altered to a desired surface state.

An example of a tool designed to alter the operative edge of a ski orsnowboard can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,656 to Hibbert. Thispatent discloses a device that is portable and is designed to sharpenthe edges and bottom of a ski or snowboard. The device includes ahandheld motor used in conjunction with a base. The motor may beattached to the base via bolts or similar means.

The prior art therefore illustrates that a motor may be attached to abase to sharpen the edges of skis and snowboards. Although the abovereferenced invention may be suitable for its particular desired results,it lacks certain benefits provided by the present invention.

Prior art devices used for tuning, sharpening, grinding and the liketypically employed a grinding means that comprises a circular bitrotating about an axis in conjunction with a motor. The prior artdevices then would be pushed axially in a direction opposite to therotation of the circular bit. As a result of the frictional forcesproduced, a certain amount of force had to be employed to maintaincontact between the bit and the operative edge of the tool beingsharpened. This manner of tuning or sharpening almost invariably resultsin inconsistencies with regard to the degree of tuning that would takeplace.

Therefore, what is required is a device for altering the operative edgeof tools and equipment that is easy to use, yet provides consistency inthe resulting operative edge.

What is further required is a device for altering the operative edge oftools and equipment that may be operated “hands-free” by the operator.

What is also required is a device for altering the operative edge oftools and equipment that is consistent and provides a repeatability ofresults that is desired by operators.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a devicefor altering the operative edge of tools and equipment, as well as adevice that removes the inconsistencies caused by an operator.

In operation, the device of the present invention may be placedalongside the operative edge of a tool that an operator wishes to tuneor sharpen. The device may be held in place with a hand of the operator,but this is not entirely necessary in a preferred embodiment. Apreferred embodiment of the present invention includes at least onemagnetic member located within the base. The magnetic member is locatedwithin the base such that when the device of the present invention isapplied to the operative edge of the tool to be sharpened, a magneticforce occurs strong enough to hold the device at an appropriate distancefrom the tool, as well as at a predetermined, desired frictional level.This in turn allows the device to provide a consistent tuning resultthat prevents operator error.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention with motor in place.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention in place upon a tool.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the present invention viewed from theside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention 1. The top side of base 2 can be seen including firstmagnetic member 4. First magnetic member 4 may be removably attached tobase 2 by means of a threaded portion of magnetic member 4, or magneticmember 4 may be permanently attached. Guide member 5 is also depicted ina preferred embodiment, substantially opposite to magnetic member 4.Located substantially between magnetic member 4 and guide member 5 ismotor aperture 6, which may also be threaded for attachment of a motor.It will be seen that guide member 5 preferably includes portions thatextend through base 2. Guide member 5 may comprise a top portion thatincludes a guide magnetic member 7, and a bottom portion that comprisesa guide bearing member 8. A portion of base 2 may also be substantiallytransparent such that an operative edge of a tool may be viewed.

In order for the device of the present invention to work properly acertain amount of force must be present between a tuning bit that isattached to the motor and the tool being sharpened or tuned. This istermed tuning force. The exact amount of tuning force necessary may varydepending upon the finished state of the operative edge surface of thetool or item being sharpened. Within this application the terms “tool,”“tool to be sharpened,” “tool being sharpened” or “item being sharpened”or similar phrases all refer to whatever piece of equipment an operatordesires to employ the device of the present invention upon. Examples ofsuch tools may include snow boards, skis, or any article that includesan edge. Edges may be substantially straight or may include variousbevels, angles and the like.

In addition to the tuning force the device of the present invention alsocomprises at least one magnetic force in a preferred embodiment.Although the magnetic force may have other applications, the primarypurpose of the magnetic force is to provide appropriate placement of thedevice, and in turn the motor and tuning bit, relative to the tool beingsharpened and its operative edge. The modifier “operative” when used inconjunction with “edge” merely refers to the idea that the edge willgenerally be used to achieve some sort of intended result, but this neednot always be the case.

The device of the present invention may accomplish the appropriatemagnetic force due in at least part to the location of the magneticmember 4 within the device relative to the operative edge of the toolbeing sharpened. “Magnetic member” is intended to include magnets andany type of material that is capable of being magnetized or affected bymagnetic forces. Additional magnetic members may be utilized inconjunction with guide member 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the present invention in place along atool 12. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic member 4 may be locatedsuch that the magnetic force created between the tool and the magneticmember is sufficiently strong so as to provide a desired attractiveforce between the magnetic member 4 and the tool. Because the magneticmember 4 is attached, perhaps removably, within the base of the preventinvention the device maintains its desired location relative to theoperative edge of the tool being sharpened.

As mentioned, a preferred embodiment includes a substantially circulartuning bit rotating by means of a motor. The device may pass along theoperative edge of the tool in the same direction as the rotation of thetuning bit. Without the attractive force provided by the magneticmember, the entire assembly would quickly pass along the operative edgeof the tool without applying the appropriate amount of tuning forcenecessary to achieve a desired operative edge surface. However, withproper placement of the magnetic member 4 an appropriate tuning forcewill result.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that an appropriate amountof magnetic force, and in turn tuning force, may be achieved in a numberof ways and not depart from the spirit or scope of the presentinvention. In one preferred embodiment factors such as size of themagnetic member; location of the magnetic member within the base of thepresent invention; location of the magnetic member relative to theoperative edge of the device; and others are contemplated. Additionally,all, some, or none of these factors may be varied to achieve a desiredmagnetic force. In one embodiment all of these factors are kept constantwith the exception of the vertical distance between the magnetic memberand that portion of the tool between which the magnetic force isachieved. This may be accomplished by raising or lowering the magneticmember within the base of the device. Such vertical deviations may beachieved where the magnetic member comprises a threaded relationshipwith its aperture. Therefore, simply turning the magnetic member in onedirection or another will have the effect of raising or lowering themagnetic member, thereby increasing or decreasing its distance from thetool; with the ultimate result of altering the magnetic force.

It is noteworthy that the present invention also contemplates the raresituation wherein the tool being sharpened has no material that mayparticipate in the creation of a magnetic or other attractive force. Inthis instance that tool may be placed within a frame or similar devicethat is substantially fixed relative to the tool, and is capable ofcreating the attractive forces that were lacking.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention also contemplates theuse of a guide member 5. The guide member 5 may take the form of avariety of structural shapes and compositions. It may comprise a surfacedesigned to decrease friction, such as TEFLON® and may also include aguide magnetic member. In a preferred embodiment guide member 5 issubstantially circular. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment theguide member 5 is substantially fixed in an axial direction, yet allowsfor rotational movement. An example of such a specific embodiment wouldinclude a guide member 5 that comprises a ball bearing member, whereinguide member 5 extends downwardly from the operative side of the base ofthe device. Such a guide member 5 would provide additional stability forthe device relative to the tool, yet still allow for uninhibitedmovement along the tool.

In another preferred embodiment the guide member 5 of the presentinvention may also be magnetized or comprise a magnetic member. This maybe accomplished by means of a guide member magnet, or by magnetizing theguide member 5 itself. In this embodiment the magnetic force will act tofurther stabilize the device relative to the tool being sharpened.

As a result of the various magnetic forces created by the device and/orthe tool being sharpened, the operator could employ the device in asubstantially hands-free manner. This is because the magnetic forces arethe only forces necessary to achieve the desired distance between thetuning bit and the operative edge of the tool being sharpened. After thetuning process has begun, any involvement by the operator may be limitedto guiding the device along the tool, thereby eliminating any risk thatany undesirable force is applied to the operative edge of the tool.

The operative side of the base of the present invention may also includeportions that lend themselves to further ease of movement of the devicealong the tool in a preferred embodiment. These portions may be termedfriction reduction areas, and are designated as friction reduction areas9 in FIG. 5. The friction reduction areas 9 may take the form ofadditions to the base, or may be integral to the base itself. By way ofexample and not limitation, the friction reduction areas may be made ofor coated with material sold under the trademark TEFLON®.

The base 2 of the present invention is designed to be ergonomicallyefficient for the operator, and functionally superior in performance.The base 2 also comprises a base length in a preferred embodiment thatprovides additional stability as a result of its location and weightrelative to a motor 10. In a preferred embodiment the base comprises asubstantially transparent central region 15, through which an operatormay view the tuning as it takes place without risking injury. Also, thebase 2 may be sloped such that it naturally fits the curvature of thehand and fingers of the operator. Adjustments to portions located withinand/or on the base are accomplished easily via knurled portions, allenor star wrench adjustment screws and the like.

In another embodiment, the operative side of the base may include theattachment of a shield 16, which can be seen in FIG. 4. The shield 4 maybe magnetized, or not, and it may assist in providing safety to theoperator by acting as a guard against any particles from the tool or thedevice itself that may become projected off of either.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the present invention viewed fromthe side. In a preferred embodiment the motor 10 and attached tuning bit11 may also be adjusted. In one embodiment the motor and attached tuningbit may be raised or lowered vertically in relation to the base of thepresent invention. This may be accomplished where a portion of the motoris threaded within the base. Rotation therefore will raise or lower themotor 10 and attached tuning bit 11 accordingly. The motor 10 may alsobe substantially permanently affixed within base 2.

In another embodiment the angle formed between a line passing throughthe center of the tuning bit 11 relative to a plane horizontal to thebase 2 (termed “motor angle”) may be adjusted. The motor angle may beincreased or decreased by tilting the motor or a portion thereofrelative to the base. This angular adjustment may be accomplished byfixing (removably or substantially permanently) a portion of the motor10 and/or attached tuning bit to a swivel plate 13 that forms part ofthe base 2, or is located substantially within the base 2. With themotor 10 fixed within the swivel plate 13, raising or lowering theswivel plate 13 may result in a decrease or increase in the motor angle.A decrease in the motor angle to less than ninety degrees may result inan operative edge that includes what may be called a beveled portion. Anincrease in motor angle beyond ninety degrees may result in a motorangle that is beveled in the opposite direction. Any combination ofangle and or height adjustments may be employed to achieve a desiredoperative edge surface. Such adjustments may be preset, or conducted bythe operator as desired.

Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the motor angle may be adjustedby means of an angle adjustment device 3, such as a set allen screw, hexscrew, star shaped screw, or the like. Also, the screw may be designedsuch that a desired degree of rotation accomplishes a previouslydetermined angular adjustment. A knob or other such turning device maybe employed in conjunction with the angle adjustment device 3 such thatthe operator may adjust the angle by hand in lieu of using a tool suchas an allen wrench. Where adjustment is not desired, the angle may bepreset and substantially fixed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat variations and modifications can be substituted therefore withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit of the invention.

1. A device for altering the operative edge of a tool, said devicecomprising: a base, comprising a top side and an operative side and abase length; a motor operating with said base; a tuning bit, said tuningbit attached to an operative end of said motor; a first magnetic memberattached to said base; and a guide member, wherein said guide member atleast partially extends downwardly from said operative side of saidbase.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said first magnetic member islocated on the base such that an attractive force is realized betweenthe first magnetic member and said tool.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein said attractive force is sufficiently strong to secure thedevice to said tool.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said guide memberfurther comprises a ball bearing, and wherein said ball bearing iscapable of rotation.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising aguide magnetic member, and wherein said guide comprises a magnetizablematerial, and wherein said guide magnetic member is located such thatsaid guide may become magnetized.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein saidguide member further comprises a ball bearing, wherein said ball bearingis capable of rotation.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said firstmagnet, said motor, and said guide are located within the base in asubstantially linear fashion.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein saidfirst magnet and said guide are located substantially on either side ofsaid motor.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said first magnet, saidmotor and said guide are located in a substantially parallel fashionrelative to said tool.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein said motor isangularly adjustable relative to said base.
 11. The device of claim 10,further comprising a swing arm, wherein said swing arm operates inconjunction with said motor.
 12. The device of claim 11, furthercomprising an angle adjusting screw located within said base, whereby adesired motor angle may be achieved by manipulation of said angleadjusting screw.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein said motor isangularly adjustable relative to said base.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein said motor is height adjustable relative to said base.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, further comprising a swing arm, wherein said swingarm operates in conjunction with said motor.
 16. The device of claim 15,further comprising an angle adjusting screw, whereby a desired motorangle may be achieved by manipulation of said angle adjusting screw. 17.The device of claim 16, further comprising a height adjusting screw,whereby a desired motor height may be achieved by manipulation of saidheight adjusting screw.
 18. A device for altering the operative edge ofa tool, said device comprising: a base; a motor operating with saidbase; a tuning bit, said tuning bit attached to an operative end of saidmotor; a first magnetic member attached to said base, wherein said firstmagnetic member is located on the base such that a first attractiveforce is realized between the first magnetic member and said tool; aguide member comprising a ball bearing capable of rotation, wherein saidguide comprises a magnetizable material, wherein said guide member islocated substantially on an operative side of said base; and a secondmagnetic member, wherein said second magnetic member is located suchthat said guide member may become magnetized, and wherein a secondattractive force is realized between said guide member and said tool.19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a swing arm, wherein saidswing arm operates in conjunction with said motor, and wherein saiddevice further comprises an angle adjusting screw located within saidbase, whereby a desired bit angle may be achieved by manipulation ofsaid angle adjusting screw.
 20. The device of claim 19, furthercomprising a height adjusting screw located within said base, whereby adesired bit height may be achieved by manipulation of said heightadjusting screw, and wherein said device further comprises a debrisshield, and wherein said device further comprises friction reducingareas located on the operative side of said base.